Safety tips when travelling

Question

I know this is a language learning website not a blog however I had a horrifying experience 3 days ago in Cali, Colombia and haven't been able to go out since. I am sharing this because one of the aims of language learning is travel and I hope by sharing people will be more cautious and careful.

1. Don't blindly trust the locals.

It would make sense if it was unheard of that they get shot, robbed, killed but that is not the case.

1. Try not to talk (outside a social setting)

Odds are you have an accent, or the riskiest of all: a gringo accent. If you are approached by people asking for directions, a lighter, etc do your best not to let them know you are a foreigner because they associate that with money.

They are probably approaching you to see what goods you have (phone, bag etc) so they can rob you

1. Be aware of your surroundings

Sounds like common sense but you'll be surprised how quickly your radar might turn off if you're with locals or you've gotten to know the area.

Always ask yourself, would someone feel comfortable pulling out a gun here? Are there enough people that it would be a risk for them to try and rob me?

And just because it's daytime doesn't mean it's a safe zone

1. Do not trust anyone

Anyone could have a gun and have the intention of robbing you. Children, yes CHILDREN. Old people, well dressed people..

1. Do not give the papaya

"Dar la papaya" in Colombia means to give a thief the opportunity to steal. Don't pull out your phone, don't wear jewelry, don't dress so nicely

1. NEVER plead or bargain when your safety is at stake

Apparently this is common knowledge but I learned that the hard way. If someone is holding a knife or a gun to you, hand over ANYTHING they ask for. They have no problem killing you.

The other tips I have can be found on most other websites with travel tips, but if people find this useful I would be happy to share more advice.

Safe travels

I moved this to, "Culture and Travel." - rac1, Aug 6, 2016

Thanks! - Zein-, Aug 8, 2016

Answer 1

Zein, I am sorry this has happened you and I sincerely hope that you will eventually be able to move on from it. I understand your experience as I used to live in Mexico City. There the "kidnapp express" is so common that jokes are made about it and even though you know to be very aware and careful, it can easily happen.

You have made a good list here, but I would add that you should never trust the police in Latin America. They can be just as dangerous as the street criminals.

Also about talking, I don´t think the foreign accent is as noticable as the volume. Most people from the US (maybe Canada, I´m not sure) talk so loudly that their presence is advertised the minute they open their mouths, and when they laugh it can be heard a long way away. This tells you "tourist".

And they way most tourists dress give them away as well - they don´t blend in with local society.

I hope you are able to enjoy the rest of your travels.

Stay safe

Thank you, Julian. Very good points! Many police officers asked me to go out with them (which is extremely inappropriate). I was then told by locals that they have a reputation of asking for sex and if it's not given, they will get it without consent. - Zein-, Aug 8, 2016

Answer 2

I have spent my entire life travelling around the world , although I agree with

al that is advised here there is one more indefinable emotion that a traveller

must accomplish , and that is "perception" .We all give off messages that a

would be thief can read from a 100 metres ,we must not only act in a confident

and un fearing manner but actually feel that way , the way we walk carry

ourselves, how we approach strangers , all these are far more telling to a

thief than if we had a hundred dollar bill sticking out of our top pocket.

Ask any dog or horse trainer and he will tell you that "how you approach a dog

or a horse will determine how that animal will react to you , it is the same with

the two legged variety . Be aware and careful by all means , but also be super

confident and mindfully aware that you are in charge at all times

I call it having "Confident indifference " .

Good luck and happy confident travelling.

Very good point! Thanks for sharing :) - Zein-, Aug 8, 2016

Answer 3

It is true. People from the US are considerably noisier. When I was in Colombia (Bogotá) while on summer vacation from college, I was told that there was much danger. This was after I had strolled about during both day and night. I guess I look so much like the locals and dress about the same, that I was invisible to the bad guys. Their Spanish (not the bad guys ) was so much like back home, (Spain) but without the ceceo.

I even rode this cable car.

Hi mi amor. You had confidence that was the clue. - ray76, Aug 7, 2016

Well, as a boxer and a martial artist since high school, I guess I had an attitude of confidence. - Daniela2041, Aug 7, 2016

If only they didn't target locals as well haha - Zein-, Aug 8, 2016